We can have good — even great — deaths.

And by having better deaths, we have better lives. Lives of connection, meaning, fulfillment and passion.

I believe good deaths come from being real. No one gets out of here alive, so let’s not pretend we will. Most of us tend to avoid talking (or even thinking) about death, and yet it is one of the only things we know will happen to each and every one of us!

We get to a good death by talking openly, truthfully and plainly about death, dying and our mortality. About fear, longing, regret, hope, and the unknown. By normalizing conversations about death and dying, we can embrace our reality (and the mystery of our lives!), which in turn empowers us to live lives of choice, inspiration and clarity. We become more connected, more purposeful, more vibrant, more fulfilled.

My mission is to help you explore you own mortality and eventual death so that you can live more meaningfully, passionately and clearly NOW. (Death is my favourite motivator!)

Because I’ve been there.

In late 2016, I went for a regular check-up, which revealed a weird growth. After sending some tissue off for testing, I was told I had cancer. In the time between “Something doesn’t look right” and “You have cancer” and “Here’s the game plan,” there were lots of unknowns.

And a whole lotta fear, worry and regret.

Within just a few weeks, I had to prepare for my potential death, in case the surgery didn’t go well, and in case the cancer spread. I learned a lot during those intense, emotional weeks, the two most important things being:

1. Don’t wait to think about death; it can happen at any time. Make sure your ducks are in a row — legally, financially, healthcare-wise, funeral-wise, etc. no matter how old or young you are.

2. Don’t waste time living a life you don’t want. Which means, figure out what you do want to live for, and how, and why, and go do that!

After I came out of that experience, I was inspired to be of service in new ways, and shifted both my mindset and my coaching and facilitating practice to focus on these topics. Living through a scary diagnosis helped me figure out what matters most in my life, including my relationships, my vocation and my home, and put a lot of “distractions” into perspective. It led to me leaving my corporate career to move across the country to a location and climate that better suited our family’s love of nature, to focus on parenting, and to serve my clients.

I want you to think about these things before you’re in a moment or season of crisis, like I was. We make better decisions when our emotions aren’t flooding our brains and bodies. And we lead better lives, and experience better deaths, when we’ve given ourselves the gift of living authentically, purposefully and gratefully.

Reach out to begin a conversation about how I may help you, your family or other loved ones in the journey toward end of life, whether that’s close at hand, or still far off.

Helpful Resources

While I focus primarily on normalizing conversations about death, and assisting people in integrating death into their lives, I know a lot of other service providers and organizations in the “death community.” Contact me if you’re looking for other supports, including:

• Death Doulas

• Celebrants and Ritual Practitioners

• Advance Care Planners

• Grief & Bereavement Counsellors

• Financial Planners

• Lawyers (Wills & Estates)

• Support Networks

• Educators and Researchers

• Personalized Keepsakes and Memorial Items